Wildlife Comedy Awards finalists provide big laughs

We all need a good laugh, and the finalists for this year’s Wildlife Comedy Awards deliver just that with a collection of amazing, funny and incredible wildlife photos.

Once again, the Wildlife Comedy Awards received a record number of hilarious entries, with almost 9,000 entries from 98 countries, all competing for the top prize.

“Entries include a cheetah playing hide-and-seek behind a tree, a pair of bears hugging him, a fish chasing an eagle through the sky (yes, really) and even a little flying squirrel that bosses him around like a mafia boss,” the group writes.

View the beautiful finalists below.

Squirrel….Blocked!

Shake, ruffle, rattle and roll!
A bald eagle ruffles its feathers.

Nagging is a universal concept
“I liked this image because it reminds me of the old TV commercial for Maxell audio cassettes called “Blown Away Guy.” On safari in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania we hung around a Kopji made of rocks because lion cubs were being cared for when this action took place. I was just lucky to catch him,” said Scott Frier.

Laughing elephant seal
“These multi-ton giants fight to keep their harem of females. At the time of the photo, the animal appears to be smiling… but the reality of the situation is that its expression of surprise and smile is at the moment when it quickly flees, because the dominant male was heading for a bloody fight. It is better to maintain physical integrity… I better go…” says Gabriel Rojo.

Saying my prayers

Where do you think you’re going???

Parrotfish love to be washed
“I saw this parrotfish while two other fish were cleaning it. The smile on his face shows that he really loves it,” says Wim Bellemans.

White-billed Tern crashes on landing

Cold shower

Time to cool down
An Adelie penguin stands over its chick as it lies flat on the rock to cool off. Due to their high level of insulation, penguin chicks can sometimes overheat and lie with their feet out on rocks to lower their body temperature.

Mafia boss
This flying squirrel looked like he was sucking on a cigar, and he looked like a mafia boss.

To wait! Which Zebra comes first!!!

The rock star
Fan-throated lizards are only found on the Indian subcontinent, where they have evolved under the influence of changing climates. These lizards are colorful and belong to the category of reptiles. Female lizards don’t show a fan because they don’t have one. Male lizards inflate their attractive neck pouch to attract the female in the hot summer season. Here the female lizard stands upright to escape the summer heat.

Gang of Four
Ralph Robinson writes, “On the penguin highway, these rockhoppers come into town, and this town ain’t big enough for them all! I placed my camera well away from this ridge, where rockhopper penguins were returning from feeding in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Falkland Islands. ..These birds look like they’re ready to kick a penguin’s ass!”

Hide and seek
Leslie McLeod says: “We were on safari in Kenya (at Mara Morth Conservancy) and happened to come across this beautiful woman who was looking for a mate. A group of topi also kept a close eye on her as she left messages for a potential mate on various trees. This shot makes me think the cheetah is about to scream, “Ready or not, here I come!”

Clumsy smiley frog

Song of the Zeisel
Ground squirrel (local name Zeisel) calls to family that he has found food.

Flamenca praying mantis

I’ll tell you a secret

Laughing out loud

I’m coming!
Razorbill attempts a very wobbly landing!

The speed skater
Steller’s Sea Eagle in the floating sea ice at Rausu, Hokkaido, Japan

Cuddling owls
“Our parents always find a way to embarrass us, I think that goes for the spotted owls too. It was really a funny sight to see two little owls trying to get some privacy while their little brood stood next to them with their eyes closed and grinning,” says Sarthak Ranganadhan.

In love
After meeting.. comes love!! This is everyone’s daily life.

Okay, buddy, get back – this is my bird!
This photo was taken in South Georgia. This actually shows a male king penguin trying to attack a female who has already formed a pair with her male. The body position and wing position make the message clear: “withdraw!”

Riding by tail
A young playful baboon wanted the fun to continue even when his mother left, so he jumped on and started riding her before shrugging his shoulders. Here it looks like he’s riding a broomstick.

Do you have that one about the…. heard?

Weightlifting
Flynn Thaitanunde-Lobb says: “A squirrel came into my garden and started playing with a long stick. He moved incredibly fast, darting back and forth, leaping into the air and rolling across the lawn. I started taking photographs and took beautiful pictures with different poses, each practicing some form of sport or music. This one does weightlifting – a physically demanding sport for everyone. This squirrel is having a hard time, it seems.”

Furry Ninja Series – Toetp

Gecko mannequin

Michela Bordoli says: “While we were walking on the sands of the Namib Desert, a gecko suddenly appeared, coming out of nowhere with a smile on its face. It positioned itself perfectly and posed for a portrait worthy of a National Geography cover. It seemed to say, “Take a photo, I’m ready for my cover!”

Are you kidding?
Two Cape fur seals in the Cape Cross Seal Reserve, Namibia

The Pavarotti among owls

Monday again

Frog in a balloon

I’m too sexy for my love
Artur Stankiewicz says: “On one of the ‘lazy’ mornings we decided to stop by the pool with hippos while we were in Mana Pools NP (Zimbabwe)… I got the idea to make the portrait with aquatic plants decorating the head . It looked like the man just came to the hairdresser with a big smile on his face.”

Hajime!
Hajime! This is the term the referee uses in judo to invite opponents to fight. Here the standing bear appears to say this to the other two, adopting the gesture referees use when saying this word.

You’re not my mother!

Unexpected role change

The contemplative chimpanzee

Hold on for a ride

Otter Guru

The overall winner, category and highest recommended winners will be announced in December. For more information about the competition or how to enter, visit: www.comedywildlifephoto.com